CHAMPION TALK

Oh hey, fancy seeing you around ScotiaSpeedworld.ca!

It’s been a while. Okay, it feels like it has been months since John Flemming took the final checkered flag of Scotia Speedworld’s 25th Anniversary season, but it’s only been five weeks. So, why hasn’t there been any action here on the Scotia Speedworld end of Tim’s Corner? Well, it’s because there isn’t a whole lot to talk about right now.

Typically, the “Silly Season” portion of the season (for those that don’t know the term, it’s one of the names used for the time of the year where rumors begin swirling about drivers and their plans for the upcoming season) really gets fired up at the year end Awards Banquet, which will take place on November 3rd. I’ve heard a couple of “he said this” or “this is what I heard”’s over the past month or so traveling to other tracks and events as they close their respective seasons, but nothing really concrete to report by way of drivers moving up - at least at this early point in the Winter of 2012-13.

When you look at champions from 2012, a majority of them that I’ve talked to plan on staying put in their respective divisions for the upcoming racing season. Jarrett Butcher had mentioned to me back in September that he wasn’t sure what 2013 would hold, whether he would be back in a Bandolero full time or if the Legend ranks would come calling, a division in which his brother Cole took the championship in this year. This has been a dream season for the Porter’s Lake brothers with three championships (including Cole’s Maritime League of Legends Tour championship, which was locked up on October 8th) amongst the two in one season.

The last time I chatted with Jorden Smith, the indication was he was planning on moving up to something faster in 2013 after the total domination that was in the ACE Lumbermart Lightning class this past season. Smith has had a busy off season thus far as well as the family welcomed Tori Olivia on October 11th. Congratulations to Jorden, girlfriend Kristen Macleod and the rest of their families on the new addition!

ACE Lumbermart Thunder car champion Kyle MacMillan is planning on staying put in the Thunder class to defend his title earned in 2012. MacMillan hasn’t stopped since winning the championship on Finale Friday in September as he has taken part in races at Petty International Speedway and the Centre for Speed, winning the Atlantic Championships event at the latter for his first event crown in the 12 year history of the event. MacMillan continues to rewrite the history books in his Civic as he strives to etch his name in as one of “the Best Four Cylinder Drivers in Atlantic Canada” in recent memory.

Dan Smith has been all smiles since locking down his Jack Daniels Truck Series championship. Then again, is there a time that the multi-time Most Sportsmanlike Driver doesn’t have a smile on his face? Smith mentioned to me back in September at Petty Raceway that Glen Stone Excavation were eager to talk about the next season soon after 2012 was over and with good reason. Following his championship, Smith also took part in races in New Brunswick, bringing home two top four finishes against some of the best Street Stock drivers in the region.

Aaron Boutilier is also hoping to become a two-time champion next season as he will look to go back-to-back in the Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman Series, a feat that has not been pulled since Craig Slaunwhite did the trick back in 2006 and 2007. Boutilier has worked hard in the past couple decades to get to the top rung of the ladder in one of the Maritimes most competitive weekly divisions and that hard work has finally paid off in the way of the Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman Series in 2012!

Of course, this could all change hundreds of times in the next seven or so months before we drop the green flag on the 2012 season. If you know of a driver who is switching classes, has signed a new sponsor or have a lead towards one of those “Silly Season rumors,” please let me know by emailing sillyseason@timscorner.ca - you could see your email here on an upcoming Tim’s Corner column.

Until we meet again at the banquet, keep the hammer down and we’ll see you in Truro!